August 2025

Summer Fun in the Sun

As part of our annual summer of fun, The Baltimore Station headed to Sandy Point State Park for the perfect beach day, mild temperatures complete with a light breeze, and plenty of sunshine. This yearly trip gives our clients the chance to step away from their daily routines, connect with nature, and engage in positive, pro-social activities that support recovery.

The highlight of the day was fishing off the rocks where patience and camaraderie paid off in a big way—one of our clients, who is missing an arm and a leg, reeled in not just one but TWO fish on a single cast with the help and encouragement of fellow clients. Moments like this remind us that determination, teamwork, and a little time on the water can be incredibly healing.

We are deeply grateful to Mission BBQ for generously donating a delicious BBQ spread complete with mac & cheese, pulled chicken, baked beans, and of course their famous cornbread! A heartfelt thank-you also goes to Sandy Point State Park for always offering free admission to veterans and to the Jewish War Veterans Rodger C. Snyder Ladies Auxiliary #117 whose donation helped us hire a bus so all clients and staff could join in on the fun.

From savoring BBQ under the pavilion to tossing bean bags in a game of cornhole, this day was more than just a trip: it was a celebration of recovery, community, and the joy of being outdoors. As our Clinical Director often reminds us, “The benefit of fishing is not in catching something; that’s just a bonus. The real gain is patience, connection, and time spent in nature.” We returned to The Station with full hearts, new memories, and a renewed appreciation for the simple pleasures that help sustain the recovery journey.

American Legion Convention

Our connection to the local American Legion posts has been invaluable and we are proud to announce a new collaboration with this excellent veteran resource group. Members from Posts across Maryland will act as a bridge between The Baltimore Station and local Legion Posts as our clients graduate our program and continue their recovery journeys in communities across Maryland. Legion members will provide access to local resources and coordinate with The Baltimore Station leaders should any early adjustment issues arise for our graduates. 

Kim Callari, Executive Director at The Baltimore Station, officially announced the new collaboration at the American Legion convention held last month in Ocean City. Every graduate of The Baltimore Station program will receive complimentary membership to The American Legion and will be connected to a local post where they will immediately have a support system as they transition back to civilian life.  

The project team was made up of five Post Commanders who are drafting procedures from “the bottom up” with recommendations to be presented to the Department Executive Committee (DEC) who serves as the governing body of the American Legion Department between Department Conventions. The team is currently exploring opportunities for graduates to experience non-traditional therapies such as visits to Wellspring Farm, an expert provider of horse, canine and caprine (goat) therapies for Veterans experiencing PTSD.

A huge thank you to The American Legion for all their support in helping our graduates reintegrate into the community and find resources to best support their recovery and overall mental health. 

Harford Community College 91.1 WHFC

The Baltimore Station is proud to support Harford Community College radio 91.1 WHFC as an underwriter and sponsor for their Veterans SITREP podcast. This podcast provides a platform to connect veterans, their families, friends and support networks to address veterans’ issues and provide information about resources that will help veterans in their lives. Tune in on 91.1 WHFC or online and join us in spreading the word—because when veterans are supported, our whole community is stronger. 

Station Support Comes From Every Corner of South Baltimore

It was a walk around the block last fall that brought Sailors Union Grace Church to The Baltimore Station.

“We saw the Station and looked it up and were excited about a service opportunity right in our neighborhood,” said Joshua Kinney. “We served dinner and started building relationships and immediately felt at home.”

Ever since, Kinney and Sailors Union’s volunteers—fittingly known as The Galley Crew—have cooked, catered, and served meals to our clients on a monthly basis.

“We love how it brings our church group together under the banner of a mission we can all get behind, and live out our faith in a practical way right here in our neighborhood,” said Kinney.

Sailors Union is one of four churches on the peninsula that regularly serve meals at The Baltimore Station. Many also organize fundraisers and donation drives, such as the Catholic Community of South Baltimore’s annual Advent Giving Tree drive which keeps vital supplies stocked for months.

It’s a familiar story for many of our volunteers who come from Federal Hill, Locust Point and across the South Baltimore peninsula. The Baltimore Station was founded by South Baltimore residents in 1989 and despite decades of development and change, neighborhood volunteers remain the heart of our mission today. 

While every volunteer plays a vital role in our mission, our neighborhood supporters bring a unique South Baltimore connection to The Station. For volunteers, it’s a fun and rewarding way to support their community. For our clients, it’s a meaningful connection to the people they see daily around the neighborhood. South Baltimore is often where our clients work, worship, and shop, and it is truly inspiring and confidence-building for them to see how they’re embraced by this community. 

Local restaurants and businesses provide support in many ways too, from fundraisers and food donations to service projects and volunteer meals. The owner of local pizza shop Pizza Di Joey even serves on our Board of Directors, offering leadership and of course his award-winning pizza. The Station offers a convenient setting for volunteer and team-building events—local companies can head to The Station after work at 5pm to spend a few hours playing games and eating dinner with our clients.  

Families and friend groups throughout the peninsula get together for volunteer meals at The Station, while some local support is even more organic. Earlier this year, a horticulturally minded neighbor, Prickly Pete, led our clients in a plant propagation class then gave away the plants as part of a neighborhood fundraiser that brought in over $1,500 for The Station. It was the type of creative, community-oriented support that has fueled The Baltimore Station for decades.

Interested in getting involved? Contact our Volunteer Coordinator Pete Crispino at pcrispino@baltimorestation.org or 410-752-4454 x113 to learn more or schedule a volunteer event.

Reminder to Check Out Work Works!

Looking to make your mark and support our mission this year? Remember to check out our social media to learn about our new work therapy program, Work Works, and make a contribution to help our clients connect back to the workforce! 

What's Coming Up

Locust Point Festival: Check out the Locust Point Festival on September 13th if you’re looking for great produce, small business goods, community resources, and yummy food!

Be sure to stop by our table to say “hi” and learn about what we have going on here at The Baltimore Station. We will be sharing a booth with local supporter Brandon from Unique Bracelets who will be selling some merchandise with part of the proceeds being donated back to The Baltimore Station and our mission! We will be at the festival all day to chat about events, volunteering, and all the ways to support our mission. Hope to see you there!

Monthly Giving Program